Post by DiamondThief on Nov 23, 2014 0:09:40 GMT -8
Portland Trail Blazers at Boston Celtics
What: The Blazers are in beantown to face the Celtics.
When: Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.
Media: TV - CSNNW; Rip City Radio 620AM.
Note: The Blazers play nine of their next 12 games on the road.
Forum: To comment, please login or register.
The Blazers (9-3, 1-2 on the road) are coming off a solid 105-87 home win over the Bulls on Nov. 21. They are led by Aldridge (21.4 points and 8.1 rebounds), Damian Lillard (6.8 assists) and Robin Lopez (1.4 blocks). The Celtics (4-7, 2-4 at home) are coming off a 117-100 road loss to the Grizzlies on Nov. 21. They are led by Jeff Green (18.4 points), Rajon Rondo (11.0 assists and 1.7 steals) and Jared Sullinger (8.5 rebounds).
Blazers' Wesley Matthews; Celtics Avery Bradley
Portland Trail Blazers
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 19 Joel Freeland; 35 Chris Kaman; 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURY REPORT
G - 3 CJ McCollum (fractured finger) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
Boston Celtics
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 8 Jeff Green
PF - 7Jared Sullinger
C - 41 Kelly Olynyk
SG - 0 Avery Bradley
PG - 9 Rajon Rondo
RESERVES
G - 26 Phil Pressey; 4 Marcus Thornton; 13 James Young
F - 30 Brandon Bass; 12 Dwight Powell; 11 Evan Turner; 45 Gerald Wallace
C - 44 Tyler Zeller
INJURIES
G - Marcus Smart (ankle) - out
C - Vitor Faverani (knee) - out
HEAD COACH
Brad Stevens
Angi's Take
This game begins the first multi-game road test of the season for the Blazers, who have played nine of their first 12 games of the season in the friendly confines of the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Portland has a terrific opportunity to come back 3-0 from the trip (Celtics, 76ers and Hornets), but it starts here. Aldridge, who averaged 24 points and 12.5 rebounds against the Celtics last season, poses match up problems for any opposing defense, while Lillard has been on fire in his last five games, averaging 25.8 points and 8.4 assists while shooting 64.5 percent from three-point range. Matthews is superior on both ends of the court to his Celtics' counterpart, Bradley, though he may see some defensive spot duty against Green, who leads Boston in scoring. Otherwise that task will go to Batum. Lopez has the opportunity to provide problems for Olynyk. Rondo leads the NBA in assists and is considered one of the best passing point guards in the league. Olynyk and Sullinger could provide problems for the Blazers front line as they are able to stretch defenses with their three-point shooting (the duo combined to shoot 6-11 from behind the arc Friday night at Memphis). When it comes to benches, Kaman should have no trouble matching up with Zeller, though Bass and Thornton would provide some problems for some of the younger Blazers reserves. The Blazers traded now-Celtic Wallace to the Nets for their 2012 draft pick which the Blazers used to bring Lillard to Portland. Matchup to watch: Damian Lillard vs. Rajon Rondo.
Officials
Ron Garretson, Mark Ayotte, Justin Van Duyne
Quotable
The Blazers' Damian Lillard on his recent stellar play: "I feel really comfortable, just being myself. Now the ball is going in and we're defending better and getting out in transition. I'm playing my game and finding the spots on the floor where I can attack and make a play."
The Celtics' Evan Turner on what it will take to win: "We need to come out executing and being aggressive and hit first. We have to do a better job of doing that consistently."
Featured Tweets
Extra
Our member Jean had the top Trail Blazers Pulse tweet in regards to the scuffle which ensued Friday night after the Bulls' Michael Dunleavy flagrantly fouled Damian Lillard.
Game Meme
To comment on this and other SC2C threads, please login or register.
Graphic courtesy of David.